Writer's Purpose

Author/ Writer’s Purpose - The Faceless Teacher by Dennis Gardner

In this piece, the writer’s purpose is to argue that the new forms of technology, mainly computers, the internet and online learning (cyber-education) have slowly begun taking on the role of teachers, which makes them  ‘faceless teachers’. The author puts forward many valid reasons why he thinks that this new era of internet and online learning can never be as valuable as human, face to face interaction or the classroom experience. He uses many strategies, especially analogies and use of examples that is used effectively in bringing his points across to the readers. The writer also uses comparison and contrast as one of his most effective strategies. As with any other effective argumentative piece, the writer acknowledges the points that might be put forward to rebut his stance on the topic, however, he identifies a number of limitations and disadvantages of the growing use of cyber-education to facilitate learning.  His argument also serves to encourage the readers, especially students, to use their judgment and reasoning on the topic at hand.